Cultivation: Starting from a Mortal Bone

On the Dao Lotus, golden thunderlight suffused the air, and faintly, two figures could be seen within.

Under Qin Yu’s care, during these past few days, the Empress’s condition seemed to have improved somewhat.

The ”Sorrow” tribulation lasted for only two days.

Soon after came Fear, Love, Aversion, and Desire!

Each tribulation brought Qin Yu a different sensation.

Fear.

The high and mighty Empress, like a wounded kitten, was afraid of Qin Yu’s approach, yet also afraid he’d stay away.

Even during cultivation, she was trembling with fear, not even daring to raise her voice in a shout.

And when Qin Yu crossed certain boundaries...

The Empress could only seethe in silence.

Why feel anger while cowering in fear?

This too was self-evident.

To be so ridden by Qin Yu, the Empress endured with great difficulty!

Love.

The Empress’s emotions ran wild and passionate, without a hint of restraint, spouting lines of sweet nothings that even made Qin Yu cringe with embarrassment.

Under this tribulation, the Empress’s Romantic Point even reached eighty!

However, perhaps not even the Empress’s original consciousness could bear it—this tribulation lasted the shortest.

Especially when she saw Qin Yu was intent on taking notes...

Of course it couldn’t continue any longer.

Aversion.

This was Qin Yu’s favorite temperament.

The Empress was like a Divine Maiden, sacred and untouchable, her gaze of loathing looked at Qin Yu as if a noble white swan was regarding an ugly toad with disdain.

Yet, somehow the toad prevailed!

The feeling of cultivating while watching the Empress struggle, sneer, and frown in disgust, was as if one truly dragged a goddess from the nine heavens down into the mortal dust.

For Qin Yu, it was an unprecedented experience, even...

Endlessly memorable.

For some reason, this state persisted for five whole days.

At one point, Qin Yu even worried—it might exceed the seven days the Empress had mentioned.

Luckily, just as Qin Yu was swallowing his pride and fretting, the Empress let out a muffled groan, and on that face beautiful beyond dreams, a flush bloomed, as if a rose just bursting open, exuding endless allure.

The final tribulation: Desire.

Finally arrived.

This was the wildest tribulation of all.

The Empress seemed tireless, continually overpowering Qin Yu, giving him not a single chance to turn the tables.

Even though Qin Yu possessed the Fourth Layer of the Pure Yang Divine Body, he nearly suffered defeat in this tribulation; in the end, it was only by relying on the Thunder Power brought by the Celestial Tribulation that he regained a little dignity.

Six days!

The last tribulation actually lasted an entire six days!

Strictly speaking, it was actually six and a half days.

During this time, Qin Yu suffered as much as he rejoiced.

Yet,

All things must come to an end.

The slumbering Empress exuded an ever vaster and more restrained aura, as though an immensely powerful consciousness was slowly awakening.

”Swish!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Qin Yu flipped over, leaped down, and dressed himself at lightning speed, then stood there respectfully.

Almost simultaneously, an icy, indifferent gaze swept over, landing on him.

Hah!

Still putting on a show!

But the Empress would never again trust this supposedly honest fellow in the slightest.

”Congratulations, Your Majesty, for overcoming the Seven Emotions Tribulation.”

Qin Yu stiffened, bowing respectfully to her.

Even though he now knew the Empress inside and out, faced with those eyes that looked down on all beings, he still felt timid and did not dare meet her gaze out of reverence.

”Boom!”

In the next instant, before Qin Yu could react, a surge of tremendous force sent him flying, slamming him hard outside, and the door slammed shut behind him.

Damn! Careless!

Hovering outside the Flying Carriage, Qin Yu wiped cold sweat from his brow in alarm.

If he’d known the Empress would become this cold, he’d have run out honestly from the start.

He’d thought that, even if he hadn’t accomplished anything, at least he had worked hard, and the Empress might treat him a bit better.

[Ji Luoxi Romantic Point: 18 (Initial Acquaintance)]

Qin Yu glanced at the Romantic Point, face paling slightly.

As expected.

The Empress’s original self had returned!

The constantly fluctuating Romantic Point up until now was like a dream to Qin Yu.

Now, the dream had ended.

Sure enough, the Empress could never develop feelings for him.

Thinking of the Empress’s usual majesty, that sacred untouchable presence, Qin Yu couldn’t help but shrink his neck, finally reacting with a surge of fear.

She was, after all, the Great Yan Empress, supreme above all; he must have been possessed to even dare...

Betray her.

Yet, the experiences of these days made him feel that even if the Empress punished him now, he’d have no regrets.

...

Imperial Palace.

The Empress Dowager was terribly bored.

The Empress was away, Little Ling’Er was gone, and the Flame Guards were run off their feet—she could find no one to converse with.

So she could only amuse herself by bothering the palace Spirit Beasts.

In her free time, of course, she’d glance up at the sky now and then, hoping for the Empress and Qin Yu’s return.

”So boring, damn it, they actually left me at home!”

The Empress Dowager was willful, but she knew well enough that with the Empress away from the Imperial Capital, her own presence was needed to hold down the fort.

So, she couldn’t just run around as she pleased.

”Eh, is that guy trying to bully Her Majesty?!”

Suddenly, the Empress Dowager seemed to have ’seen’ something, and instantly bared her teeth, ”Hmph, that damn old man—if you dare bully Her Majesty, I’ll turn your Great Qin upside down!”

As a lucky omen, she had the confidence to say so.

Fortunately, the Empress Dowager’s concern was unnecessary, for just as she relaxed, she somehow noticed that the distance between Qin Yu and the Empress seemed to have gotten... very close?!